Washington, DC – Today U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement on the House Republican disgraceful embrace of the confederate battle flag:

“Had the confederate battle flag prevailed 150 years ago, I would not be a member of the United States Congress. I would be a slave. Throughout the land, this flag must come down.

The confederate battle flag is a divisive symbol of racial hatred and oppression. It is time to banish it to the dustbin of history.

Shamefully, House Republicans scheduled a vote to confer congressional legitimacy on the confederate battle flag. In the name of decency, it must be defeated today, tomorrow or whenever the Calvert Amendment comes to the floor.”

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